A basic bikini wax can be considered the removal of any pubic hair outside of a normal knicker line. Some clients may prefer to have hair removed from slightly further inwards than their knicker line so as to eliminate the risk of any longer hairs creeping out the sides of their underwear or swimwear.
Basic Bikini Waxing for Women - The Basics
* It is not necessary for clients to remove their underwear for a basic bikini wax. Depending on the salon's policy and client preferences, a tissue can be tucked either side of the client's underwear to prevent any wax from getting on the knickers, or disposable paper pants can be worn instead.
* Disposable vinyl gloves should be worn by the therapist for all bikini waxing treatments and disposable spatulas used each time the spatula is dipped back into the wax pot. Following these procedures will eliminate the spread of any bacteria or infection through 'double-dipping'.
* The use of a new-generation non-strip wax (as opposed to conventional strip wax) is advisable for basic bikini waxing, due to the sensitivity of the groin area. Non-strip wax is kinder than conventional strip wax because it sticks to the hair, not the skin. It does not 'pull' as other waxes might, thereby minimising client discomfort, and it causes less breakages and damage to the hair which in turn reduces the risk of ingrown hairs.
Basic Bikini Waxing for Women - The Treatment
* Sanitise the skin on the area to be waxed with a cotton wool pad and an appropriate cleansing solution to remove any body lotion, dirt or perspiration.
* Apply a thin layer of a suitable, light-textured oil on the area to be waxed, e.g. in the thigh crease, on the thighs if there is any pubic hair here that needs removing and as far in towards the centre of the pubic bone as you intend to wax. This will create a barrier between the skin and the wax, reducing the amount of skin cells removed and causing less irritation and trauma to the skin. As well as pulling less on the skin (which hurts the client), it also means that the waxed area is not left sticky.
* Blot any excess oil with a tissue. Too much oil on the area will be counterproductive and will stop the wax from sticking.
* Starting with whichever leg is closer to you, bend the client's knee and allow the thigh to relax with the leg in a right angle position.
* With a medium-sized spatula, apply a thin layer of the non-strip wax in the direction of the hair growth. The wax strip should be no longer than 8cm long, an inch wide and around 2mm thick. At the end of the wax strip, you need to create a thicker 'lip' of around 4mm in thickness. This lip forms a handle which you can easily hold on to in order to pull the wax off in the absence of a paper or fabric strip.
* Wait for the wax strip to set. This should take no longer than 20 seconds if the wax was applied to the right consistency and is not too thick. While waiting, you can apply a second wax strip elsewhere on this side if the hair covers a large area.
* Holding the lip of the wax strip with one hand and pulling the surrounding skin taut with the other hand, pull the wax off the skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth, working quickly and firmly. Any indecision or slowness at this point will cause the client some discomfort.
* Immediately afterwards, firmly place your hand over the area which has been waxed, holding it for a second or two. Applying pressure on this area will take away any immediate client discomfort or stinging.
* Repeat this process as you work inwards as far as the natural pant line, or slightly further in towards the centre of the pubic bone, as per the client's preferences. When finished, the client can lay her leg outwards in the normal resting position.
* Repeat the process on the second side, ensuring that the client's other leg is bent outwards.
* In some cases, hair growth on some clients grows up towards the tummy button and high up on the front section of the pubic bone. In these cases, clients will usually want the line straightening and lowering on this area so the hairs do not sprout out of the top of the underwear, in which case an extra wax strip should be applied here.
* When you have waxed both sides of the bikini area and above if necessary, check that the lines created are straight and symmetrical.
* Check the area for any short hairs that were not picked up by the wax but are long enough for removal. These can be plucked out using a sharp pair of tweezers.
* Apply a small amount of after-wax gel mixed with oil to the waxed area to nourish, soothe and moisturise the skin.
Basic Bikini Waxing for Women - Aftercare
* Allow 24 hours for the follicles to completely close and return to normal. Localised 'red dots' where the skin has been waxed are completely normal. This happens because each hair has its own blood supply and when the hair is taken from the root the blood supply rushes up to the surface. These red dots should slowly clear as the body cools down after the wax, although this may take slightly longer for clients with sensitive skin.
* Fake tans, massages, extreme heat treatments (e.g. very hot baths or showers, saunas, steam rooms), swimming, sunbathing (including sun beds or any other exposure to UV light) or tight clothing should be avoided for 24-48hours. It is also advisable to try and avoid exercise for 24 hours as a build-up of sweat in the open hair follicles could cause unsightly spots. Do not scratch or touch the area with unwashed hands.
* Starting from 48 hours after the wax, moisturise and exfoliate the waxed area regularly to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, using suitable products that are not too heavily fragranced. If any irritation has occurred, antiseptic cream can help. Dead sea salt used as bath salts can also help prevent infection as can anti-bacterial shower gels. Soothing lotions and gels, especially those containing products such as tea-tree oil, aloe vera and witch-hazel can also alleviate irritation.
Rebecca Dowdeswell is the owner of nkd, Nottingham's first & only specialist waxing & threading boutique for men and women. See http://www.nkdwaxing.com or call 0115 9 241454 for an appointment.
In fact, as the only specialist waxing and hair removal boutique for men and women in Nottingham, you shouldn't consider going anywhere else to get nkd. Brazilians, Hollywoods, Las Vegas's - you name it, we wax it. We wax half legs, full legs, arms, underarms, straight bikini or absolutely everything off. In terms of male waxing, we offer a range of body waxing treatments (e.g. back and chest waxing) as well as intimate male waxing treatments, such as back sack and crack and male Brazilians/Hollywoods. Conveniently located in Nottingham city centre, our speedy yet efficient service is ideal for those who are busy in town on other business. As such, we welcome walk-in waxing appointments. Furthermore, nkd only uses the finest-quality wax (Perron Rigot) which grips at the hair, not at the skin (hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free where possible) and all of our waxing treatments include cleansing oil to begin and soothing oil and cooling gel to finish. What could be painful about that?
